Odovtos - International Journal of Dental Sciences 

About: Odovtos - International Journal of Dental Sciences is an academic journal published by University of Costa Rica. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Medicine & Internal medicine. It has an ISSN identifier of 1659-1046. It is also open access. Over the lifetime, 354 publications have been published receiving 588 citations. The journal is also known as: Publicación científica.

E-Learning in Dental Schools in the Times of COVID-19: A Review and Analysis of an Educational Resource in Times of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract: While countries are facing different stages in their COVID-19 infection rates, worldwide there are millions of students affected by universities’ facilities closures due to the pandemic. Some institutions have enforced strategies to transfer some courses to a virtual modality, but many Dental Schools have been challenged to deal with a situation which requires emergency measures to continue the academic course in the middle of lock-downs and social distancing measures. Despite the fact that the number of online academic programs available, especially graduate programs, has increased in diverse modalities, this pandemic forced e-learning processes to develop abruptly. The likelihood of using e-learning strategies in dentistry was substantiated in the scientific literature and an overview of these opportunities is presented. Additionally, the experience of the University of Costa Rica Faculty of Dentistry is presented, as it was evident that some of the key elements in a e-learning environment needed a quick enhancement and initiation of some processes was required. First, it was necessary to categorize the academic courses depending on their virtualization's possibility (curricula analysis and classification), to better understand the extent of the impact and the work needed to contain, as far as the possibilities allowed, negative consequences on students learning process. Second, teachers needed further training in the application of virtual strategies which they hadn’t used before. do Third, an evaluation of the students’ conditions and needs was conducted in a form of a survey. Finally, teachers and students activated the available virtual platforms. For many Dental Schools, this virtualization process is an ongoing progress although it was abruptly imposed, but this moment indeed represents an enormous opportunity to move forward and get immerse in the virtualization environment as a teaching/learning experience.

Medición del nivel de orientación empática en el estudiantado de la Facultad de Odontología, Universidad de Costa Rica

Abstract: The learning of the dental career comprises the acquisition of knowledge of the basic and medical sciences, but generally, competences related to emotional intelligence are not encouraged. The objective of this research was to establish the level of empathic orientation of students from first to fifth year at the School of Dentistry of the University of Costa Rica according to gender and school year. Two hundred and ninety (69,7%) students completed the Jefferson Scale of Physician Empathy (JSPE). Two hundred and two were female and 88 (30,3%) were male. Our results are inconsistent with previous results reported in dental settings since students in fourth and fifth year showed higher empathy scores, and no difference was found related to gender.

Frequency of Pulp Treatments in a Peruvian Pediatric Population: a Retrospective Study in a Specialized Dental Center from 2015 to 2019

Abstract: Pulp treatments are one of the types of procedures most performed in pediatric patients, whose primary objective is to restore the masticatory, aesthetic and phonetic function. The objective of this study was to determine the frequency of pulp treatments performed in patients from 3 to 11 years of age treated at the Pediatric Dentistry Service of the Centro Dental Docente Cayetano Heredia from January 2015 to December 2019. The search for the medical records of patients treated at the Pediatric Dentistry Service who have met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data were collected on age, sex, type of dentition and tooth, for the elaboration of a database, and later tables of contents. Of a sample of 514 virtual medical records, with 1166 pulp treatments performed, indirect pulp treatment was the most performed for both sexes, 41.17% (n=247) for females and 34.98% (n=198) for males. According to age range, 3 to 5 years of age are the patients who received more indirect pulp treatment with 39.06% (n=359). The majority of patients with deciduous dentition underwent indirect pulp treatment with 39.32% (n=326). Being the tooth most treated with indirect pulp treatment 84 with 41.18% (n=70). The pulp treatment that was most performed in our study was indirect pulp treatment followed by pulpectomy and pulpotomy. The female sex, age group 3 to 5 years and deciduous dentition were the ones that received the most pulp treatments. The teeth with the highest frequency of pulp treatments were the second lower left molar and the first lower right molar, and those with the least frequency were the lower right and left canines.

Aggressive Periodontitis and its Multidisciplinary Focus: Review of the Literature

Abstract: The purpose of this review is to have a current prospect of periodontal diseases and, in particular, aggressive periodontitis. To know its classification and clinical characteristics, such as the extent and age group affected, as well as its distribution in the population, etiology, genetic variations, among other factors that could affect the development of this disease. Also, reference is made to different diagnostic options and, likewise, the current treatment options.

Evaluation of Marginal Seal and Microleakage of a Sealant Modified with Silver Nanoparticles in Primary Molars: In Vitro Study

Abstract: The objective of this study was to evaluate the marginal seal effectiveness and microleakage of a pit and fissure sealant containing silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). An experimental in vitro study was carried out using 40 extracted temporary molars without caries or incipient caries. These molars were divided into two groups: Group A (20 molars), to which a silver nanoparticle-containing sealant was applied, and Group B (20 molars), to which a conventional sealant was applied. The marginal seal and microleakage were evaluated. No significant differences in the marginal seal or microleakage were noted between the silver nanoparticle-containing sealant and the conventional sealant.The addition of AgNPs does not alter the adhesion or resistance of the sealant.